TCU going to Big East Conference

TCU quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass in the first quarter against New Mexico during an NCAA college football game at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Jake Schoellkopf)
— AP

TCU quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass in the first quarter against New Mexico during an NCAA college football game at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Jake Schoellkopf)
/ AP

"This is a great move," coach Gary Patterson said. "I'll say this, we don't seem to get bored around this place. ... The one last mark people have held against in recruiting is that we were not an automatic qualifier. Now that's been erased."

TCU was a BCS buster for the first time last season, then lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Frogs have won 25 consecutive regular-season games, and 38 of 41 overall. The only losses in that span were in the Fiesta Bowl, and games at Oklahoma and Utah.

With all TCU sports moving to the Big East, it will create a 17-team basketball league.

Marinatto said the league was aware of the logistical issues associated with having 17 basketball teams and nine football teams and that those issues would be addressed soon. He wouldn't discuss the possibility of even more schools being added to the league.

The Big East will be the fourth conference for TCU since the Southwest Conference broke apart after the 1995 season and the Frogs weren't among the Texas schools that became part of the Big 12.

TCU was in the WAC from 1996-2000 before going to Conference USA for four seasons and then joining the Mountain West in 2005.

When Nebraska announced it was leaving the Big 12 for the Big 10 and Colorado declared its move to the Pac-10, the Big 12 opted against adding TCU or anybody else and plans to move forward as a 10-team league for now.